Military service is free and mandatory for men, who must meet the deadline to avoid fines and postponement of incorporation until the following year.
Military enlistment begins this Thursday (January 1, 2026) and will continue until June 30. The process is mandatory for young Brazilian males, even for those residing abroad.
For the 2nd consecutive year, enlistment is also open to Brazilian women who wish to voluntarily perform military service, as long as they turn 18 in 2026.
Enlistment is done free of charge, within the established period, and is mandatory for young men, but anyone who misses the deadline will face a fine for being late and will be eligible for the following year’s selection. For women, the enlistment deadline will not be extended.
According to the Ministry of Defense, military service creates a strategic reserve of qualified human resources, ready to be mobilized in situations that require national defense or support in subsidiary actions.
In 2025, 1,029,323 men and 33,721 women enlisted to serve in the Armed Forces, in 2026.
How to enlist
Registrations for Brazilians who turn 18 in 2026 can be made online on the website, including for those residing abroad. It is necessary to register on the federal government’s digital services platform, gov.br.
If you do not have access to the internet or prefer to enlist in person, from Friday (2 January 2026), the interested party must go to the JSM (Military Service Board) closest to their residence, taking original identification documents. They are:
- birth or marriage certificate;
- identity card or Work and Social Security Card;
- proof of recent residence.
Read the JSM addresses. Just type the name of the city in the search field. The system will list the full address, contact telephone number and, in some cases, opening hours.
Women’s enlistment
Created by the Ministry of Defense in 2024, the female military service will offer 1,467 vacancies, 1,010 for the Brazilian Army, 300 for the Air Force and 157 for the Brazilian Navy.
The vacancies are distributed across 145 municipalities in 21 states, in addition to the Federal District. In a statement, the Ministry of Defense said it intends to gradually expand this number in the coming years.
After the incorporation phase, women must perform initial military service for 12 months.
People with disabilities
Young people who have an impeding health condition, such as being PWD (person with a disability) can request exemption from military service. To do this, they must bring documents, receipts and medical reports at the time of enlistment, at a Military Service Board.
The medical certificate, preferably issued at a public health center, must contain the diagnosis of incapacity, in full and the respective ICD (International Code of Diseases), as well as the doctor’s signature on the stamp containing his name and registration with the CRM (Regional Council of Medicine).
A sick citizen who, due to absolute incapacity, is unable to appear before a Military Service Board, may be represented by his legally established guardian or curator, upon presentation of the supporting document.
Young people with disabilities can find out more information.
Next phases
Enlisting is just the 1st step. After enlistment, the citizen will receive the CAM (Military Enlistment Certificate) and must check it periodically to find out whether they have been exempted or whether they must attend the general selection stage, in the 2nd half of 2026.
Enlisted men and women who were not immediately discharged will be called up to:
- carry out medical and dental examinations;
- physical fitness tests;
- interviews about your skills and interest in serving.
If you are exempt due to excess contingent or live in a municipality that does not contribute personnel for the initial mandatory military service, the person must participate in the oath ceremony to receive the CDI (Certificate of Exemption from Incorporation).
Others not exempt will also go through the following steps:
- designation;
- complementary selection;
- incorporation or enrollment in one of the three Armed Forces: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy or Air Force.
Military service will begin in 2027, lasting one year.
There is the possibility of the activity being extended every 12 months, for up to 8 years, if there are vacancies, interest of young people in remaining in the military ranks and approval by the Armed Forces.
Military service debt
As military service is mandatory for young Brazilian males, those who do not enlist will be prevented, among others, from:
- obtain or renew a passport;
- register for public competitions;
- enroll in colleges or universities;
- sign contracts with the Brazilian government.
With information from .
